A new awakening.
Nintendo is well-known for digging into its past. Link’s Awakening was unlike any Zelda game before it, and to this day not much has come close to its peculiar style. Now 26 years later those that remember (and those that were not yet born) can experience this fever dream of a Zelda game. While the general structure is intact, Link’s Awakening forgoes the classic narrative and instead delivers a dreamscape of obscurity, bringing in characters from the likes of Mario and plenty of eclectic faces along the way. There is nothing quite like this game, which makes it a perfect candidate for its resurgence.
The most impressive thing about this remake is how true to the original it is. Every screen is identical, down to the wave pattern on the beach. Every detail is intact. The developers have truly combed every secret and piece of the original and brought it into this new game. This includes the exclusive color dungeon from the update GameBoy Color version released in 1998. The attention to detail is impressive. Still that also brings with it some downsides.
MSRP: $59.99
Platforms: Switch
Price I’d Pay: $59.99
Link’s Awakening comes from a time of obscurity. Some of the objectives in this game are so far-fetched that it becomes luck of the draw on discovering them. For example, there is a sequence of items that play a pivotal role in progressing through the game. You see, unlike other Zelda games that offer up exploration in a non-linear sense, Link’s Awakening has a defined path. Each dungeon has an order. Parts of the map are unreachable without items or abilities earned from other areas. This item quest involves trading items with various characters. One obscure example is giving a can of dog food to an alligator. Yes, you cannot progress in the game until this is done.
As I mentioned, this is not the normal formula for a Zelda title. Link’s Awakening is very linear in its progression. While the world map is open, it isn’t always accessible. Each area is broken off into pieces that mimic tiles. The design was likely due to the limitations of the GameBoy. The remake keeps that style intact, but does broaden it by letting the player see areas on each side of the screen. The steps to progress are all done in order. There is the ability to explore though, which rewards pieces of heart. The dungeons are not the greatest the series has ever seen, but they are still challenging and fun. The bosses meet the theme of the game with some truly out-of-character foes that require patience and clever thinking.
It wouldn’t be a remake though without something wholly new. This version introduces a dungeon creator of sorts. Series staple Dampe has his own area where players can use tiles to create their own dungeons. This area allows players to take on challenges, and once completed they earn tiles they can use to craft and share their own creations. Think of it as a jigsaw puzzle that you can manipulate. This isn’t Zelda Maker by any stretch of the imagination. Sadly, this feels like an experiment, as tiles are limited and online sharing is not available, meaning I am only able to showcase my creations locally.
There are other minor changes that make a big impact. There are more warp points scattered throughout the game which make fast travel more convenient. Items can now be used more easily thanks to the increase of buttons on the Switch. The dash and shield mechanics have been mapped to the triggers, leaving me open to assigning things such as the feather and bombs to the face buttons. They added a seashell finder to make finding the hidden collectibles easier, and even added fairy bottles for more health stock. Sure they are all quality of life improvements, but they are all appreciated.
The graphical upgrade is obviously the most noticeable change. The original had such a style that I wondered how it would translate 26 years later. The Switch version reminds me of those claymation Christmas specials I used to watch every year as a kid. It has a sort of cartoon-inspired diorama feel that is just adorable. The world is full of lively characters and tons of color, it just looks incredible. It doesn’t come without some issues though. This is probably the worst performing first-party Nintendo game to date. Every transition from one area to the next comes with a massive hit to the framerate. The game chugs from 60fps down to 30fps and then back up. This creates a weird break in the action. It is never game-breaking, but it is jarring every time it happens, and it happens a lot.
The music on the other hand thrives. There are covers of the original tunes done in a chiptune style that are simply phenomenal. There are also orchestral reworks of the original themes. Hearing familiar tunes in a slightly different tone really drive home the nostalgia. Zelda has always been known for its soundtrack and this entry is no different. This is the kind of game where tunes resonate with me and I sit on certain screens just so I can hear them. It is incredible.
Link’s Awakening is yet another outstanding addition to the Switch library. Anyone who says that Nintendo isn’t killing it with first-party games this year is delusional. They seem to pump out a classic almost monthly. Being able to revisit one of the most obscure and delightful Zelda games from the past is just another reason why the Switch is so magical. I cannot recommend this title enough. It transcends history and feels like a game that would pass as a current title.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.
